Floor light, vault light, and roof light construction



July 11, 1933.

J. H. OLD 1,917,808 FLOOR LIGHT, VAULT LIGHT, AND ROOF LIGHTCONSTRUCTION Filed April 2, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z0 Z7 /3 A 8 E I /8 /6I v /5 F /5 J. H. OLD

July 11, 1933.

FLOOR LIGHT, VAULT LIGHT, AND ROOF LIGHT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2/6 Filed April 2, 1931 z lilitllll IIIIIII:

Patented July 11, 1933 JAMES H. OLD, OF FORESTPARK,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0 F ONE-HALF 'IO JULIUS J. OI-ILIS,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS FLOOR LIGHT, VAULT LIGHT, AND ROOF LIGHTCONSTRUCTION Application filed April 2,

This invention relates to those structures in which floor lights, rooflights or vault lights are carried by a supporting structure in suchmanner as to form a light transmit ting floor, roof, vault ceiling orpavement.

Structures of this kind must have sufficient strength so as to supportheavy weights and so that they may be used as surfaces upon which peoplemay walk with entire safety.

it is also a desider-atum that there shall be a relatively great area ofglass and that the structure shall have-as little weight as possiblewith, however, the requisite strength. It has heretofore been thepractice in this art to surround the lights which are usually relativelylarge panes of glass set on parallel carrying bars and this type ofconstruction cannot be erected in horizontal or near horizontal positionas it is subjected to leakage and breakage of glass due to expansion andcontraction and vibration, nor can such a structure be walked upon withsafety.

Furthermore in these structures of the character described, condensationis at. a maximum due to the fact that the substance which surrounds andis disposed between the glasses has heretofore been of such a natureasto be a conductor of heat and cold from the I outside to the under sideof the glass and in constructions using large panes ofglass set onparallel carrying bars, condensation is at a maximum due to the thinglass and the carrying bars being exposed to the outside surface whichact as conductors of heat and cold. Furthermore, in constructions knownto me and used in the prior art, considerable trouble has been caused bybuckling or arching due to the unequal expansion and contraction of thefabricated steel bars orof the reinforced concrete frame which is not sodesigned as to have the same area in all directions.

The general object of the present'invention is to provide a structure ofthis character 1931. Serial No. 527,283.

which can be erected in anear horizontal position, which can be walkedupon with greater safety than constructions of the prior art,

which can be cheaply manufactured and fabricated and erected in a verysimple manner and which will have a greater glass area of less weightper square foot than prior constructions.

A further object is to provide a structure of this character which willeliminate condensation, which can be manufactured from sheet metal,fabricated in such manner as to eliminate the necessity of usingadditional reinforcing or carrying members or intermediate structuralsupports as required with cast iron, steel bars, reinforced concrete andother such metal constructions.

A further object is to so form the sheet metal elements which supportthe lights that the necessity of welding, soldering or caulking iseliminated.

A further object is to provide for the use of a tar and sulphurcomposition surround ing each pane an d disposed between the panes andprovide means which will act as a key to lock the tar and sulphursealing compound in place and thus prevent this compound becomingdisplaced and the glasses from coming loose.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanving drawings, wherein Figure1 is a top plan view partly broken away of a vault light, skylight, orfloor light constructed in accordance with my invention; Figure 2 is asection on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; l

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the supporting elements attheir junction;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the elements Bshowing the tongues projecting therefrom;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through. one ofthe longitudinal elements and a transverse element showing the means forholding the elements together.

Referring to these drawings, A and B designate what may be termed thelongitudinal and transverse fabricated sheet metal supporting elements.The members A may be considered to be the main supporting elements,these members being substantially parallel to each other while themembers B may be considered as the transverse or cross elements fittinginto and interlocking with the main supporting elements A and definingopenings conforming to the contour of the glass panes. The longitudinalelements A are formed each of a single piece of sheet metallongitudinally bent at its middle at 10, the middle being extended inparallel relation as at 11, then the two sides of the sheet being bentlaterally outwardly as at 12, then upwardly as at 13 and then downwardlyas at 14, then parallel to and in close relation to the portion 12 as 15and then bent upwardly as at 16, the two portions 16 being in slightlydivergent relation to each other and constituting a key as will be laterstated.

Disposed between the two side portions 11 of the element A is a core bardesignated 17, this core bar spacing the lateral portions 11 of the barA apart and giving strength to the element A. The transverse elements Bare constructed, generally speaking, of the same form as the elements Aandhave the same height, and, therefore, the same reference numerals areused to indicate like portions of the elements A and B. The elements B,however, have their portions 11 flanged outwardly at the ends, theseflanges being designated 18.

The element B also differs from the element A in that the portions 11midway between the lower end of the element B and the outwardlvextending flanges 12 are deflected to form a square passage 19 throughwhich a tie bar 20 may pass. Furthermore, these lateralfianges 12 arecut away at 21 to accommodate the laterally flanged portions 12 and 13of element A and the portions 12 are formed to provide tongues 22 at theends of the elements B which engage in slots 23 formed between theportions 12 and 15. Y

It will be seen that the bolts 20 extend through the passages 19 andthrough the webs 11 of the elements A and these bolts are provided withnuts 24 on their opposite ends whereby the elements B are held inconjunction with the elements A. Obviously if deenable, the flanges 18'may he riveted to the webs 11 of the elements A. The bolts 20 and thetongues 22 hold the elements A and B in interlocked relation to eachother and define rectangular openings havingseats formed by the'portions12, 13 and 14 for the edges of the lights. The lights or' glass panesare designated 25. These are made of'relatively thick glass havingdownwardly extending flanges 26 at their margins so as to fitdownbetween the portions 14 and the portions 16 of the elements A and B.

Preferably insulating members 27 angular in cross section and preferablyformed of cork are disposed beneath the lower edges of the flanges 26and extend upwardly between the inside faces of these flanges and theportions 14.

The flanges 16 extend up between the perimeters of the lights 25 and thespace between the side edges of these lights is filled with a sealingcompound 28 preferably of tar and sulphur. This sealing compound isfilled up to a level and flush with the upper faces of the lights 25.The side edges of the lights are grooved or otherwise undercut at 29 sothat the tar and sulphur compound may interlock with the side edges ofthe lights and this compound 28 is also anchored in place by the flanges16 which constitute keys or anchors by reason of their divergentrelation to each other. Thus the compound 28 is held firmly in placeagainst detachment and the lights 25 are held firmly in place. The underside of the lights, which lights are preferably formed of pressed glass,are so shaped as to provide four planes pitching from the center in fourdirections to the outer wall of the glass, these planes being designated30. This will drain 01f any condensation which might form on the underfaces of the glass. This small amount of condensation will be carriedoff from the under side of the glass on to the seats formed by theportions 14 and 15 of the elements A and B and will there evaporate.These seats, therefore, not only constitute seats, but gutters toreceive any small amount of condensation which may form on the underside of the lights.

In placing the structure in position, the grids'or frames formed of theelements A and B, after these elements are assembled, are laid in placeover the openings to be covered, the glasses or lights are then set inplace and sealed weathertight with the tar and sulphur sealing compound.This sealing compound is mixed at the factory and shipped to the site oferection in the form of cakes. These are broken up and melted and pouredin and around the glasses, thus eliminating the necessity of dependingon the human'element to mix any materials at the site of erection. Theerection of this construction is particularly simplified bythe M factthat there are only three operations necessary, namely the setting ofthe grids or frames, the setting of the lights and the pouring of thesealin compound in and around the glasses.

My improved construction is so relatively simple and light that agreater number of square feet can be readily erected in given time thanis possible in the erection of any other vault light, floor light,skylight or roof light known to me. The use of sheet metal,

preformed shapes, eliminates the necessity of using cast iron,fabricated steel bars or reinforced concrete. These shapes or elements Aand B are light and, therefore, may be more readily shipped and handledthan cast iron or fabricated steel bars.

The elements A and B obviously may be made of various sheet metals andvarious gauges and with various finishes. Thus copper coated sheetsteel, zinc coated sheet steel or rust resisting steel sheets can beused and the finished grid or frame can be galvanized,- painted orenameled. A structure of this character can be erected in a nearhorizontal position and remain water-tight, can be walked upon, andsupport relatively heavy loads. The sheet metal elements A and B can beformed without the use of welding, soldering or caulking and withoutusing fabricated steel bars. Furthermore, in my structure, no metal isexposed on the top surface, but the top surface is composed solely ofglass with a narrow margin of tar and sulphur compound surrounding theglass and in between each light and thus 90 or more per cent of glassarea is obtained.

As no metal is exposed at the top surface of this construction,condensation is at a minimum inasmuch as there is no metal to act as aconductor and transmit the cold of the sheet metal elements A and Bbelow. Condensation is further reduced to a minimum due to the fact thatthe cork gasket or cushion 27 is used as an insulation between theglasses and the sheet metal formed shapes. This cork insulation 27 isfirmly cemented with waterproof liquid cement to the seats formed by theportions 1d and 15 and the under edge of the flange 26 which extendsdownward from the four-side margins of each light is grooved at 26a toprovide eight small feet, thus securing a minimum of glass surface incontact with the cork insulation. These eight feet which are one-eighthof an inch in height allow the tar and sulphur compound to run undereach four sides of the glass, thereby aiding this insulation. It will beseen that at no place does the glass come in direct contact with anypart of the sheet metal forming the elements A or B. i

It is also to be noted in this connection that the lights 25 at theirmargins are deeper than the'depth of the seats so that under faces ofthe glass do not come in contact with the two ply flanges (13 and 14)which form the lateral flange of the seat. It is also to be noted thatbecause of the bends given to the sheet metal and the fact that eachsheet metal element is two ply throughout its entire extent, theelements A and B are particularly rigid. Furthermore, the supportingability ofthe two-ply flanges which form the seats for the glass isaided by the anchoring flanges 16 which extend up into the bindingmaterial so that downward pressure on the lights which would tend tobend downward the seats for the lights is resisted by these upwardlyextending anchoring tongues or flanges 16 bearing against the bindingmaterial 28 which in turn is held from lateral movement by the flanges26 of the lights.

It is also to be particularly noted that the cross members B havepractically the same cross sectional area and the same specified depthas the members A. Therefore, when the expansion and contraction takesplace, this expansion and contraction will be equal throughout theentire structure. Where this is not the case and the cross members of agrid have a different depth and a different cross sectional area fromthe longitudinal members, there will be unequal expansion andcontraction which will buckle or arch the construction. This causesbreakage of glass and disruption of the entire construction.

This grid or frame will be preferably made up at the factory from theunits A and B but obviously it might be made up at the site of thebuilding, the longitudinal elements and the transverse elements beingpreviously cut or formed to the proper sizes, for the work to be done.

I claim 1. In a vault light, sky light, or floor light structure,longitudinal and transverse supporting elements defining rectangularopenings, each element having two parallel seats defined by laterallyand upwardly extending flanges, the lights having downwardly extendingmarginal flanges operatively supported on the seats, and bindingmaterial disposed in the spaces between the side edges of the lights,the supporting elements being formed to provide anchoring membersextending divergently upward into the binding material but terminatingshort of the upper surface of the binding material and the lights.

2. In a vault light, sky light or floor light structure, longitudinaland transverse supporting elements defining rectangular openings, eachelement having two parallel seats defined by upwardly extending lateralflanges, lights having downwardly extending marginal flanges extendingdownward into said seats, insulating members angular in cross sectionand disposed within said seats between the inner faces of said flangesand the inner faces of the seats and the flanges of the lights anddirectly supporting the flanges of the lights, binding material disposed in the spaces between the side edges of the lights and extendingdownward to said insulating members, the supporting elements beingformed to provide anchors extending upward into the binding material.

A vault light, sky light and floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transply vertical web, the metal at the upper margin ofthe web being bent outward in opposite directions, then upward, theninward and downward in a vertical plane to form a seat, lights 'having.inarginal flanges extending downward into the seat, and bindingmaterial filling the spaces between the margins of the lights andanchored thereto.

4. A vault light, sky light and floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements defining rectangularopenings, the elements being formed of sheet metal, both sets ofelements being alike in crosssectional area and form, each of saidelements being formed of sheet metal bent to form a two-ply verticallyextending web, the metal at the upper margin of the web being bent outin opposite directions, then upward, then inward and downward in. ahorizontal plane, then horizontally inward to form a seat, the metalthen being extended upward, lights having marginal flanges extendingdownward into the seats, and binding material filling the spaces betweenthe margins of the lights and anchored thereto by the upwardly extendingportions of said elements disposed between the margins of the lights.

5. A vault light, sky light or floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements defining rectangularopenings, each element being formed of sheet metal bent to form atwo-ply vertically extending web, the metal at the upper margin of theweb being bent outwardly in opposite directions to form light supportingseats, a core bar disposed between the two plies of the vertical. web,lights resting on said seats and binding material disposed between themargins of the lights and anchored to said elements.

6. A vault light, sky light or floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements defining rectangularopenings, each element being formed of sheet metal, bent to provide atwo-ply vertical web. the metal at the upper margin of the web beingbent outward in opposite directions, then upward and then inward anddownward in a vertical plane to thus provide light seats, lights havingmarginal flanges extending downward into the seats, the under faces ofthe flanges being transversely grooved at intervals, and bindingmaterial filling the spaces between the margins of the lights andextending through said grooves, and means anchoring the binding materialto the elements.

7. A vault light, sky light or floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements of folded sheet metaldefining rectangular light receiving openings, the transverse elementshaving substantially the same cross sectional form and cross sectionalarea as the longitudinal elements, the elements'being formed to providelight receiving seats, said transverse elements abutting against thelongitudinal elements and being interlocked therewith, lights disposedin said openings and resting on the seats, and binding material disposedbetween the lights and having its upper surface flush therewith.

8. A vault light, sky light or floor light structure includinglongitudinal and trans verse supporting elements defining rectangularopenings, each transverse element having substantially the same crosssectional form and cross sectional area as the longitudinal elements,both of said elements being formed to provide seats, each transverseelement at its ends having laterally extending flanges abutting againstthe vertical faces of the longitudinal elements, the transverse elementshaving horizontally disposed tongues projecting from the ends thereof,the longitudinal elements having slots to receive said tongues.

9. A vault light, sky light or floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements of folded sheet metaldefining rectangular light receiving openings, each transverse elementhaving substantially the same cross sectional form and eross'sectionalarea as the longitudinal elements, all of said elements being formed toprovide light receiving seats, the transverse elements abutting at theirends against the longitudinal elements, bolts passing longitudinallythrough the transverse elements and engaged with and extending throughthe longitudinal elements.

10. A vault light, sky light and floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transverse supporting elements of folded sheet metalbent-to form a two-ply vertical web, the transverse elements havingsubstantially the same cross sectional form and cross sectional area asthe longitudinal elements, all

of said elements being formed to provide l ght receiving seats,thetransverse element-s abutting against the webs of the longitudinalelements, each traverse element having the two plies of 1ts web bentoutward away from each other to form a bolt passage extendinglongitudinally through the web, and a bolt extending through saidpassage and through the webs of the adjacent longitudinal elements andhaving nuts engaging against said webs to thereby lock the transverseelements to the longitudinal elements, and lights supported in saidopenings by said longitudinal and transverse elements.

11. A vault light, sky light and floor light structure includinglongitudinal and transversesupporting elements of folded sheet metal,the sheet metal of each of said elements beingbent to form a two-plyvertical web and laterally disposed light receiving seats at the upperend of the web, the

webs of the transverse elements having laterally extending wings attheir ends abutting against the webs of the longitudinal elements, thetwo ply webs of each transverse element being bent to form a boltpassage, a bolt extending through said passage and through the verticalwebs of the longitudinal elements and having nut-s bearing against saidwebs, the light-receiving seats of the transverse elements being cutaway at their horizontally inward to form a seat and then upward, theopposed webs of each transverse element being bent outward to form abolt passage, a bolt extending through the passage and through thevertical webs of the longitudinal element, each transverse element atits opposite ends on a level with the seats being formed withlongitudinally extending tongues, each longitudinal element beingslotted just below the seats to receive said tongues of the transverseelements, lights having downwardly extending flanges disposed in saidseats, initially plastic binding material disposed between theconfronting edges of the lights and extending down and around the lastnamed upwardly extending portions of the elements whereby the bindingmaterial will be anchored to the elements.

13. In a vault light, sky light or floor light structure, longitudinaland transverse supporting elements defining rectangular openings, eachelement having two parallel seats defined by upwardly extending lateralflanges, the transverse elements being interlocked with the longitudinalelements and having substantially the same cross sectional area and thesame cross sectional form as the longitudinal elements, insulatingmembers resting upon said seats, lights having downwardly extendingmarginal flanges extending downward into said seats and resting upon theinsulating elements, said flanges having a depth greater than the seatsand less in width than the seats whereby the under surface of any lightis disposed above the upper edge of the flange defining the seat, theundcrsurface of each light being formed with downwardly and outwardlyinclinedfaces whereby water of condensation will run down to said seats,an initially plastic filling material disposed be tween the edges of thelights and extending downward below the lower edges of the flanges ofthe lights and anchored to said elements. 7 1 i In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature. JAMES H. OLD.

